Ness Glen, or not! 8th April

 

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Malcolm, Rex

We were gathering at the car park at Craigmark Burntonians’ ground on an overcast morning when wee Davie showed us his new, expensive, waterproof cap. As he was explaining the benefits of it, Alan ‘The Waterboy’ McQ decided to test it out by pouring a bottle of water over Davie’s head. The cap was certainly waterproof but, unfortunately, the rest of his clothes were not, and so it was rather a damp Davie who started his walk today, no doubt planning revenge!

The route was to be the normal figure of eight walk, but some decided that they would cut the walk short by not going up the glen which in effect was not to be a problem, as the Waterboy had heard that the glen was closed due to a landslip. We proceeded anyway, along by the Water of Muck and then up to Dalcairney Linn and stopped for coffee at the bridge over the burn. The day was perfectly still with no wind and, with the temperature slowly rising, we enjoyed our break.

Next, it was up the hill and over to Barbeth on the path which had recently been improved. From there it was down to the road up to Craigengillan passing some workers who were carrying out a burn on some of the longer, straggly grass. The group who were going to do the shorter walk, Alan, Allan, wee Davie, Derval Davie, and Malcolm thought about taking this road back to the cars, but Davie Major said that to go up and round at Craigengillan would only add about fifteen minutes. Sceptically, the rest agreed to this, knowing full well that it was’’ Davie minutes’ we were talking about. Anyway, all ten passed the big house and assembled at the foot of the glen.

The guys who were going to do the longer walk decided to forego the option of going up to the round house for lunch via the high path and returning the same way and agreed that, in order to get back to the cars at about the same time as the others, they would continue over the wooden bridge with us and head back to Dalmellington. However, whilst the group mentioned above took lunch at the bench just beyond the bridge, Alan McQ led the others up to The Cabins at the lagoon for their pieces before returning to the cars via Bellsbank, and arriving about fifteen minutes before the others who had returned the traditional way.

FRT was taken at the 'up-for-sale' Dalmellington Inn where a good time was had. Nevertheless, there is a tale to tell. Our youngest member meticulously recorded on a bit of paper the order for the second round. We were in consternation as the pints of light beer kept coming as only one had been ordered. He blamed the error on a smudgie pen, or words to that effect. A bad workman always blames his tools? Anyway, he had to scoff an extra pint himself whilst another was only half-drank as no-one wanted it. He is working hard at not being asked to do anything, following his faux pas with a tip at the Laird’s Table and now getting the order wrong today. Justice for wee Davie?

A good day out in what turned out to be excellent conditions. Seven and a half miles with the last to arrive back at the cars taking three hours and twenty-five minutes.